Hodgson praised Sezer's two-try performance, the former Titan taking control in his Raiders debut in Austin's absence.

"There was a few people playing with some knock but that's rugby league," he said.

"You have to get through the tough times sometimes, and tough times make tough people.

"I thought it was a great performance effort-wise. We can definitely work a lot better completing our sets but in terms of toughness that's a great team effort.

"We simplified our game more [once Austin got injured]. We got to certain points [of the field] where we'd normally go right, but went left without a natural half on the right.

"We've got another quality cover right there if they're not available next week. We've got Sammy Williams to step in there and that's what you need in a quality team.

"It [injuries to halves] is something which happened to us a couple of times last year so it wasn't that unfamiliar.

"I'll step into a job wherever I'm needed at the time. Sticky [Raiders coach Ricky Stuart] knows that and it won't be an issue."

Stuart said he was yet to dwell on who would replace his main men for the game against the Roosters.

It will be the first time Roosters fullback Blake Ferguson will play in Canberra since he was sacked by the Raiders in 2013.

"I haven't thought about it yet,but obviously Sammy will be back on deck," Stuart said.

"I get asked a lot about 'where are you going to fit him, where are you going to put this guy?'

"Depth is so important in this competition."

The Roosters will be desperate to rebound from Sunday's 42-10 thrashing by arch-enemy South Sydney in their start to the season.

Last year's minor premiers also have problems in their halves following the suspension of NSW Origin halfback Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney's move to Cronulla.

It has forced coach Trent Robinson to throw youngsters Jayden Nikorima and Jackson Hastings into the hot seat, while Ferguson is still adjusting to his switch from centre to fullback after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's move to the Warriors.